I knew I was behind in getting out an update, but I didn’t realize I was two months behind. Sorry. These past two months I have had the opportunity to attend two conferences, host my dad for a month, have two teams come through and I submitted my dissertation! Just a few things going on…
Hilda and Zawadi, friends from Luleå, popped in for two nights so that Zawadi could celebrate her 10th birthday at the local amusement park.At the end of July, i attended a conference in the middle of Sweden with the Catalyst Network, a community of believers looking to start new discipleship groups that could grow into healthy new churches.The conference was attended by about 100 people. I had the opportunity to do a talk on what God has taught me about Him as our Living Hope.My father visited for the first time and it was a gift to provide the chance for him to see what my life is like.My good friend, Johanna, got married! I got to pop into Luleå to vist friends and attend a conference celebrating what God has done and anticipate what He will do! Always thankful to get to catch up with Kristine and hear how God is at work. I met Kristine back in 2010 when we were just getting started in Sweden. She just gave birth to her fourth child, Boas.My friend Emilia, who is also part of our house church community, moved in as a roommate this year as she starts her first year of university studying medicine.A team from Tennessee came for a week and served the neighborhood well. Thankful for like minded brothers and sisters where we can encourage one another forward. A highlight of the end of summer would be draft day for a fantasy football league I participate in with friends from my old teaching job.Tennessee team! Ashley and I first met at CIU in 2007. Thankful for friendship to continue and her mobilizing her church to come check out what God is doing in Stockholm.Another family flew in from Louisiana to facilitate a training for us in a city call Örebro. An intensive for the weekend while also getting out into the harvest.There were a handful of people from our house church in Stockholm that joined to collaborate serving their local immigrant neighborhood. We had the opportunity to do a home visit with a Somali family. We were fed well and hoped to build trust and relationship with the local believers that live there.
Last week I submitted my dissertation and now prepare for my defense on September 24th. I definitely appreciate prayers. If all goes well I will graduate on December 13th from CIU. It is crazy that the end is in sight.
Financially, although I do celebrate and give thanks that the monthly commitments are at 96%, there is no savings for ministry costs. Please join me in praying for $3200 to cover costs for conferences and materials for the remainder of this year. If you would to provide a one time gift, click here.
After 20 years in ministry, graduation provides a good transitional place for some rest, reflection and recon for what could be next. I am looking at taking a sabbatical for these purposes starting in January. A sabbatical provides the time to reflect on the work, explore some vision trips, and give opportunity for others to take more ownership for the local work. I am anticipating God reaffirming me in ministry for however long I can labor for His glory and seeing others experience His goodness. I appreciate prayers for how to best use this opportunity.
Well I got to run as we have one more day with the Louisiana team and a few days to get ready for the next team! Next week lands a team of four young Swedish adults taking an entire term to travel to different churches to learn and serve. I am very thankful for the opportunity to partner with Swedish organizations and invest in the next generation of Swedish leaders.
This at least gives some broad strokes of what has been happening. Feel free to set up a video call time if you would like to hear more!
Following and Fishing 
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